Episode 139 - "They knew it was the Lord" - John 21:9-14

John 21:9   When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Prior to Jesus’ interaction with Peter, John described the scene as the disciples arrived at the shoreline with their boat and dragging their net full of fish. They had fished all night without catching a single fish and along came Jesus who told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. They obeyed Jesus’ command and the result was an immediate and overwhelming success. John specified here the exact count of 153 large fish. John so frequently includes little details that have significant implications or meaning and I can’t help but wonder if there is significance to this detail. At the very least it defines the magnitude of the catch or perhaps the abundant provision of God. One can find a number of interesting and plausible interpretations for this specified number within many commentaries. 

For my purposes here, I’d like you to notice what the disciples see when they first got to shore. Jesus had a fire going with breakfast of fish cooking on the charcoals along with some bread for his meal. Where did these come from? He wasn’t on the boat. There’s no record that he had his own net or fishing pole. This caused me to recall John chapter four when Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman at the well. After his disciples returned from town with food and the woman went to town to tell others about Jesus, the disciples encouraged Jesus to eat. But Jesus replied, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” (John 4:32) Shortly he explained, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34) Soon after this Jesus would take a few small fish (contrasted with 153 large fish) and a few loaves of bread and multiply them to feed thousands of people. It would seem from John’s observation and interpretation of Jesus’ providing the fish and the bread served to remind these disciples of how Jesus had provided for so many before. We see throughout the Scriptures the importance of remembering what God has done before. Sometimes people even built monuments as a means of reminding them and also as a means to teach others who this God is and what He has done. The end purpose is to trust in the LORD because we remember that God is able and God is willing to provide what we need.

In verse twelve, Jesus invited them to have breakfast. I think that Peter was not the only one who was struggling with the LORD’s presence due to guilt or shame they had abandoned him when he was arrested. Notice that John mentioned that no one asked him “Who are you?” Why does John feel the need to say this? These are people who had been living with him for the past few years. They know what he looked like. I suspect that their shame evoked by his appearing to them alive was uncomfortable. Furthermore, it would have conflicted with their reason. “Is he really, physically alive and here with us?” they might have thought. It would be easy to think out loud, “Are you really the Lord?” But, John says that they didn’t ask him because they knew it was him. Now, here he is inviting them to eat with him once again. It’s a way in which he is communicating that he wants to fellowship and be present with them. He has not and will not abandon them. 

Finally, John mentions this was the third time he appeared to his disciples. Again, I believe John has a purpose in providing this detail. In my opinion, it’s an indication of what is about to transpire between the Lord and Peter and perhaps the others who may be hearing what Jesus is saying to Peter and perhaps indirectly to them. Peter had denied three times that he knew Jesus after Jesus’ arrest. Now, this is the third time the resurrected Lord has appeared to him and the others. Despite Peter’s attempts to separate his identity as a friend of Jesus, Jesus is demonstrating that he is still with them. 

What speaks to me in this story is the grace and mercy Jesus showed to his disciples. He knows their thoughts and he understands their feelings. He draws them to him in fellowship through this amazing provision and a meal. As we will soon see, he has not cast them off from the purpose he has established for them. They will soon become fishers of mankind.